Herbs for ADHD or ADD Treatment and Relief (2024)

Traditionally, the use of herbal remedies for ADHD has been to ease some of the associated symptoms of insomnia, sleeping problems, and depression.

Furthermore, some medicinal herbs are known to sharpen mental focus and increase clarity.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), also known as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition which affects between 3% and 5% of the population.

Impulsiveness and inattention are its chief characteristics, and it is usually first diagnosed in childhood. It is a little more common in boys compared to girls, and for most, continues into adulthood.

The exact causes of this condition are unclear, but it is thought that it is influenced by a complex combination of external and neurochemical factors and although the use of herbal remedies for ADHD may be of great value and work wonders for some people not everyone might feel the same.

It seems that is important to look at several areas in determining the right approach for a specific child, including but not limited to, food or environmental allergens, balanced diet, sugar intake, minerals, vitamins, herbs, and exercise.

Common Medicinal Herbs Used for ADHD Symptoms

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is one of the most commonly used natural treatments for the brain.

It increases the brain’s performance by increasing the blood flow to it. This allows it to consume more oxygen, and so increase cognitive ability.

The circulatory system is thereby enhanced helping the brain to function at its optimum level.

This medicinal herb also acts as an antioxidant, thereby protecting nerve cells. Using ginkgo biloba reduces damage by free radicals, which cause harm to cells and their DNA. (1)

The harmful effects of free radicals are believed to be a significant contributing factor in the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia in the elderly.

Few studies have been done on the herb’s potential as a treatment for ADHD and indicate that it may indeed be useful. (2)(3)

This ability of ginkgo to protect the brain is the reason why so many herbalists throughout the USA and Europe recommend it as one of the primary herbal remedies for ADHD (ADD).

Maritime Pine Bark

Maritime pine bark (Pinus pinaster) is used mainly in extract form for its antioxidant properties, although its needles are recognized for their vitamin C.

Antioxidants have been determined by many researchers to play a significant role in repairing and protecting the body’s cells.

They help to protect against free radicals, which researchers have discovered are damaging byproducts of metabolism and exposure to environmental pollutants. Some areas that have been linked to the damage of free radicals are aging, heart disease and cancer.(4)

It has only been in recent years that free radicals have also been considered as a possible contributing factor in ADD/ADHD. (5)

Maritime pine bark is only one of the anti-oxidant herbs currently recommended. Some herbalists have also reported successes with grape-seed extract – a better known anti-oxidant.

Eleuthero

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also known as Siberian ginseng is one of the more commonly known herbal remedies for ADHD. It works to increase alertness and improve the brain’s memory function. (6)

The herb is often used as a remedy to enhance memory and some studies indicate that the herb could be useful in that regard. (7)

Eleuthero is also known by herbalists to boost immune systems and interacts with the body to assist in reacting to stress.

For these reasons the herb could be helpful in treating ADHD, as it may protect and boost the brain in a variety of ways. (8)

Gotu Kola

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) could be of help for ADHD.

It has been used for centuries in Asia to treat skin diseases and improve brain function. It is thought to stimulate the mind bydecreasing anxiety while increasing alertness.

Gotu kola is a mild antibacterial, as well as being mildly adaptogen, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory.

It is also known to be anxiolytic, a stimulant to the circulatory stimulant, and cerebral tonic. (9)

Brahmi

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), a medicinal herb widely used in Ayurvedic medicine has shown promise for the treatment of ADHD. (10)

It is regarded to have calming properties and to increase mental processes while at the same time reduce stress and nervous anxiety.

Bacoside, one of the active constituents found in the herb, is thought to enhance cognitive function by improving the transmission of nerve impulses.

In a randomized 12-week, double-blind, clinical trial, children with ADHD/ADD who were administered 50 milligrams two times a day showed significant improvement compared to those receiving a placebo when tested for mental control, logical memory and paired associated learning (the pairing of two items – usually words).

Evaluation of the study participants was first done four weeks after the last administration of the herb, indicating it could have a long-term effect. (11)

Rhodiola

Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogen herb that has been shown to be helpful in improving focus in both adults and children. It has also been used to combat fatigue and improve memory.

The herb increases the sensitivity of the neurological and nervous system that produce serotonin and dopamine, which might make it useful in treating some of the ADHD symptoms. (12)

Passion Flower

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata)is recommended by herbalists as an herbal treatment for ADHD. It helps to even out mood swings and increases concentration.

According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, it was found to have positive benefits in treating generalized anxiety disorder.(12)

Other Herbs Used for ADHD (ADD)

• Skullcap– (Scutellaria lateriflora)
• St. John’s wort– (Hypericum perforatum)
• Chamomile– (Matricaria recutita)
• Fennel– (Foeniculum vulgare)
• Valerian– (Valeriana Officinalis)
• Calendula– (Calendula officinalis)
• Oat Straw– (Avena sativa)
• Rooibos– (Aspalathus linearis)
• Stinging nettle– (Urtica dioica)
• Flaxseed– (Linum usitatissimum)

Supporting References

1. Brondino, N., De Silvestri, A., Re, S., Lanati, N., Thiemann, P., Verna, A., … Politi, P. (2013). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Ginkgo biloba in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: From Ancient Tradition to Modern-Day Medicine. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM,2013, 915691. doi:10.1155/2013/915691.
2. Uebel, Henrik & Rothenberger, Aribert & Albrecht, Bjoern & Geza Rothenberger, L & Klement, Stephan & Bock, Nathalie. (2014). Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in children with ADHD. Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie. 42. 337-47. 10.1024/1422-4917/a000309.
3. Salehi, Bahman & Imani, Reza & Mohammadi, Mohammad-Reza & Fallah, Jalil & Ghanizadeh, Ahmad & Akbar Tasviechi, Ali & Vossoughi, Ardalan & Rezazadeh, Shamsali & Akhondzadeh, Shahin. (2009). Ginkgo biloba for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in children and adolescents: A double blind, randomized controlled trial. Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry. 34. 76-80. 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2009.09.026.
4. Verlaet, A. A., Ceulemans, B., Verhelst, H., Van West, D., De Bruyne, T., Pieters, L., … Hermans, N. (2017). Effect of Pycnogenol® on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.Trials,18(1), 145. doi:10.1186/s13063-017-1879-6.
5. Trebatická, Jana & Kopasová, Sona & Hradecná, Zuzana & Cinovský, Kamil & Škodáček, Igor & Suba, Ján & Muchová, Jana & Zitnanová, Ingrid & Waczulikova, Iveta & Rohdewald, Peter & Durackova, Zdenka. (2006). Treatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol®. European child & adolescent psychiatry. 15. 329-35. 10.1007/s00787-006-0538-3.
6. Załuski, D., Olech, M., Galanty, A., Verpoorte, R., Kuźniewski, R., Nowak, R., & Bogucka-Kocka, A. (2016). Phytochemical Content and Pharma-Nutrition Study onEleutherococcus senticosusFruits Intractum.Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity,2016, 9270691. doi:10.1155/2016/9270691.
7. Panossian, A., & Wikman, G. (2010). Effects of Adaptogens on the Central Nervous System and the Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Their Stress-Protective Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 3(1), 188–224. doi:10.3390/ph3010188.
8. Sharma, A., Gerbarg, P. L., & Brown, R. P. (2015). Non-Pharmacological Treatments for ADHD in Youth.Adolescent psychiatry (Hilversum, Netherlands),5(2), 84–95. doi:10.2174/221067660502150430154937.
9. Gohil, K. J., Patel, J. A., & Gajjar, A. K. (2010). Pharmacological Review on Centella asiatica: A Potential Herbal Cure-all.Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences,72(5), 546–556. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.78519.
10. Pinakin Dave, Usha & Rajeev Dingankar, Sunila & Swaroop Saxena, Vinod & Allan Joseph, Joshua & Bethapudi, Bharathi & Agarwal, Amit & Kudiganti, Venkateshwarlu. (2014). An Open-label Study to Elucidate the Effects of Standardized Bacopa monnieri Extract in the Management of Symptoms of Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children.. Advances in mind-body medicine. 28. 10-5.
11. Raghav, S., Singh, H., Dalal, P. K., Srivastava, J. S., & Asthana, O. P. (2006). Randomized controlled trial of standardized Bacopa monniera extract in age-associated memory impairment.Indian journal of psychiatry,48(4), 238–242. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.31555.
12. Ahn, J., Ahn, H. S., Cheong, J. H., & Dela Peña, I. (2016). Natural Product-Derived Treatments for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Safety, Efficacy, and Therapeutic Potential of Combination Therapy.Neural plasticity,2016, 1320423. doi:10.1155/2016/1320423